Box Score

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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The No. 22-ranked Northeastern State men's soccer team advanced to the 2012 NCAA Quarterfinals with a 6-3 victory over Fort Hays State Friday night at DeLoache Field.
 
The RiverHawks (13-4-3) will now face No. 12 Saginaw Valley State at 1 p.m. Nov. 18 at DeLoache Field after the Cardinals upset No. 4 Rockhurst 2-1 in overtime earlier in the day. The winner of Sunday's match will advance to the NCAA Semifinals in Evans, Ga. This marked the first win in school history for NSU in the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.
 
NSU outshot Fort Hays State (11-6-2) 27-13, and the home side scored the first four goals of the match.
 
The Tigers came roaring back to get within two on two occasions at 4-2 and 5-3, but the RiverHawks would keep the visitors at an arm's length to ensure the first victory in school history in the NCAA Championship.
 
Sophomore forward Juan Peralta scored in both the 27th and 87th minutes, and he now leads the team with 15 goals this season. Senior midfielder Bo White scored in the 35th minute, and he is right behind Peralta with 14 goals this year.
 
Senior midfielder Jordon Smith and freshman midfielder Paul Samia added tallies in the 42nd and 49th minutes, respectively, to put NSU ahead 4-0.
 
Daniel Peralta cut the lead in half with markers in the 62nd and 63rd minutes, but senior midfielder Henry Wildenborg kept the Tigers at bay with a strike from distance that sailed into the upper 90 in the 73rd minute.
 
Michael Cole scored in the 80th minute to make the score 5-3 in favor of NSU, and the home side added another insurance marker on Peralta's late goal.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Eric Shephard (4-0-1) saved five shots and allowed three goals to earn the win in 90 minutes of action. FHSU keeper Kent Freund (6-4-2) took the loss after allowing all six goals and making eight saves.
 
Scoring Summary
FHSU               0          3          –          3
NSU                 3          3          –          6
 
Individual Scoring
Juan Peralta (NSU) at 26:11 (unassisted)
Bo White (NSU) at 34:51 (Edgar Gonzaga)
Jordon Smith (NSU) at 41:15 (Edgar Gonzaga)
Paul Samia (NSU) at 48:48 (Jordan Schmoker)
Daniel Peralta (FHSU) at 61:36 (unassisted)
Daniel Peralta (FHSU) at 62:50 (Michael Cole)
Henry Wildenborg (NSU) at 72:38 (Jordan Schmoker)
Michael Cole (FHSU) at 79:11 (Daniel Peralta)
Juan Peralta (NSU) at 86:34 (Adam Schmoker)
 
Goalkeeper Saves
Kent Freund (FHSU) – 8
Eric Shephard (NSU) – 5
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-

NORTHEASTERN STATE HEAD COACH ROB CZLONKA
On the game plan…
“We made a few adjustments in our front six players to put a little more pressure on them. We felt like their back line was something we could take advantage of early and we did just that.”
 
On the rivalry with Fort Hays State…
“It is a great rivalry now. Fort Hays State is a very well coached team. Their coach is a great guy. I am super happy and a bit surprised with the result but to see us come out the way we did, our guys were ready to go.”
 
On the long layoff from the conference championship to tonight…
“I think it affected us. If you watch the first 20 minutes of the game, it was very sloppy. It was not until we scored the first goal that the game started to settle down and get under control. A large part of that was the long layoff for both teams.”
 
On the change in goal…
“Eric Shephard has trained well over the last two weeks and he earned the chance to start this game.”

FORT HAYS STATE HEAD COACH BRETT PARKER
On the keys to the second-half comeback…
“We came out with a little bit better effort in the second half. We were timid on some 50/50 balls in the first half. They scored three nice goals, but we were able to come out in the second half andcompete. They came out and gave everything they had. It was one of those days where the ball did not bounce our way very often.”
 
On the rivalry with Northeastern State…
“It has developed into a pretty good rivalry. All the games have been close games with some going into overtime. The two week layoff for both teams could have made a difference tonight. Northeastern State came out tonight and made the plays to when they needed to.”
 
FORT HAYS STATE JUNIOR FORWARD DANIEL PERALTA
On the layoff between the conference championship and tonight's match…
“Yes, I think that affected us. Anytime you don't get a chance to play, it makes a difference.”
 
On how the team reacted going into halftime down 3-0…
“We were down 3-0, so not much else could go wrong. We just talked and decided we had nothing to lose. We were just going to let the result be the result.
 
On the momentum swinging two goals early in the second half…
“We felt like my second goal really gave us the momentum, but their fifth goal kind of killed our run.”